Brief Adolescent Depression Screen (BADS)

Abstract

The Brief Adolescent Depression Screen (BADS; Vaughan et al., 2023) was developed to screen for major and persistent depressive disorders in adolescents to address assessment needs in an inpatient setting. This instrument is a component of a comprehensive screening interview designed to identify multiple disorders, specifically targeting the assessment of depressive disorders. The BADS comprises a single screening or stem question, followed by three additional questions that delve into the onset and consistency of depressive symptoms. An extra question assesses the individual’s consistent experience of depressive feelings over the preceding two weeks. While the administration duration was not systematically measured in the study, clinicians estimate that administering the BADS takes approximately one minute. The measure was evaluated using a sample of adolescents hospitalized in an inpatient psychiatric unit in the southeastern US. The study reported results concerning incremental validity, test sensitivity, and specificity.

Keywords

Adolescent Depression, Depression Screening, Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Incremental Validity

Authors

Vaughan, Erin P.; Kemp, Emily C.; Robertson, Emily L.; Walker, Toni M.; Picou, Paige; Frick, Paul J.; de Back Jr., John

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Purpose

The BADS is a brief screening measure specifically designed for identifying depressive disorders in inpatient adolescents.

Validity

Incremental Validity: The BADS demonstrated incremental validity over and above the Behavior Assessment System for Children: 3rd Edition (BASC; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2015). After controlling for the BASC, the BADS continued to show statistically significant associations with all measured outcomes. This suggests that the BADS screening provides additional value in identifying Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia: Present Lifetime Version (KSADS; Kaufman et al., 1997, 2016) diagnoses and suicidal behavior.

Test Sensitivity and Specificity: The BADS exhibited strong screening utility, providing both high sensitivity and specificity for identifying full depressive diagnoses and a positive history of suicidal behavior.

Reliability

No reliability data is Available.

Factor Analysis

No factor analysis data is Available.

Instrument

Test Type: Screening measure for depressive disorders.

Format: The BADS consists of 5 items. Most items utilize open-ended response options. The measure is administered through an interview method. No data is Available regarding the availability of specific test items.

Language Available: English.

Population Group: Human (Male and Female) adolescents who are inpatients.

Age Group: Childhood (birth-12 yrs), School Age (6-12 yrs), and Adolescence (13-17 yrs).

Population Details: The study participants were adolescents located in the United States, specifically in an inpatient psychiatric unit in the southeastern US.

Test Methodology: The methodology involved assessing test validity, test sensitivity, and test specificity.

Keywords

Major Depression, Incremental Validity, Mental Health Screening, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Youth Mental Health

Authors

Author ORCID Identifiers:

• Vaughan, Erin P.: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3316-2941

• Kemp, Emily C.: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2008-7938

Affiliation and Email Addresses:

• Vaughan, Erin P.: Louisiana State University, Department of Psychology. Email: [email protected]

• Kemp, Emily C.: Louisiana State University, Department of Psychology. Email: No data is Available

• Robertson, Emily L.: Florida International University, Center for Children and Families. Email: No data is Available

• Walker, Toni M.: Harris County Juvenile Probation Department. Email: No data is Available

• Picou, Paige: Louisiana State University, Department of Psychology. Email: No data is Available

• Frick, Paul J.: Louisiana State University, Department of Psychology. Email: No data is Available

• de Back Jr., John: Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Email: No data is Available

Correspondence Address:

Vaughan, Erin P.: Louisiana State University, Department of Psychology, 236 Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, 70803. Email: [email protected]

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: Contact Corresponding Author.

Fee: No fee is required.

Test Year: 2023.

References

Vaughan, E. P., Kemp, E. C., Robertson, E. L., Walker, T. M., Picou, P., Frick, P. J., & de Back, J., Jr. (2023). The Brief Adolescent Depression Screen: A brief screening tool for depression and suicidal behavior in inpatient adolescents. Child & Youth Care Forum, 52(6), 1397–1412. doi.org/10.1007/s10566-023-09738-9

Items of the Brief Adolescent Depression Screen (BADS)

The BADS comprises a total of 5 items. It starts with one screen or stem question, followed by three questions that assess the onset and consistency of depressive symptoms. An additional question specifically asks the individual about how consistently they felt depressed over the last two weeks. The specific wording or content of these items is not mentioned in the provided text.